ACTIVITY DIRECTORS NETWORK | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING SINCE 1996
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CAAP™

Certified Activity Assistant Professional
Entry-Level Activity Assistant Certification • Online & Self-Paced
9 Guided Modules

Start Your Career as an Activity Assistant

CAAP is designed for new Activity Assistants, caregivers, volunteers, and career changers who want to feel prepared before stepping into the role. Learn to support residents, assist with meaningful activities, communicate professionally, follow basic safety expectations, and understand how activity departments improve quality of life in senior living and long-term care settings.

Also used by Activity Directors to train new team members and build stronger departments.

Start CAAP Today

CAAP Course Snapshot

9 Guided Modules
Step-by-step assistant training
24/7 Online Access
Start anytime, self-paced
Flexible Format
Up to 6 months of access
Team Training Ready
For onboarding new staff

Make a Difference Every Day

As an Activity Assistant, you play a direct role in how residents experience their day. You help create moments of connection, comfort, inclusion, and meaningful engagement.

This role is more than entertainment. It is about presence, communication, observation, dignity, and support. You may be the person who helps someone laugh, feel included, or simply feel less alone.

You don't need years of experience to begin. CAAP provides practical guidance to help you step into the role with confidence.
Activity Assistant connecting with senior living residents during a meaningful activity
This is more than helping with activities.
It is connection, encouragement, observation, communication, dignity, and support.

What You Will Learn

Practical Activity Assistant skills designed for real senior living environments.
Understanding the Role
Understand Activity Assistant responsibilities and your role on the care team.
Communication Skills
Communicate calmly and professionally with residents, families, and staff.
Groups & One-to-One Visits
Support meaningful group activities and individual resident interactions.
Safety & Inclusion
Create respectful, supportive, and safe experiences for every resident.
Planning Engaging Activities
Understand how activities support quality of life and successful programming.
Documentation Basics
Observe, report, and document information using professional language.
Professionalism & Ethics
Build teamwork, reliability, boundaries, and professional workplace habits.

Strong Assistants Make Everything Easier

Activity Directors know how much smoother a department runs when assistants are confident and prepared. CAAP supports activity department onboarding and staff training by helping new team members understand their responsibilities.

Assistants ready to support activities Consistent resident engagement Less hands-on supervision More time for department leadership

Earn Your CAAP Certification

Upon successful completion, you'll receive your CAAP Certification Certificate of Completion. This demonstrates to employers that you've taken the initiative to understand the Activity Assistant role and prepare for professional responsibilities.

CAAP can help you stand out when applying for Activity Assistant positions and provides a foundation before advancing into Activity Director training through NAPT100.

CAAP is an Activity Directors Network certification course. No continuing education (CE) hours are awarded.

Your Activity Professional Career Path Starts Here

01. Begin
Enter the Activity Assistant role and gain real-world experience.
02. Earn CAAP
Complete your certification and build professional confidence.
03. Advance
Pursue Activity Director training through NAPT100.
04. Grow
Continue into leadership, continuing education, and long-term career opportunities.
CAAP can be your first step toward Activity Director roles, leadership positions, and long-term career stability in senior living.

Is CAAP Right for You?

CAAP is a great fit if you are:

  • New to senior living or long-term care
  • Interested in becoming an Activity Assistant
  • A caregiver, volunteer, or career changer
  • A student seeking a meaningful healthcare-adjacent career
  • Someone who wants residents to feel connected and valued
  • An Activity Director training and supporting assistants

CAAP helps you feel ready to:

  • Understand the job before stepping into the role
  • Approach interviews with confidence and clarity
  • Support residents with dignity, patience, and respect
  • Communicate effectively with your team
  • Decide whether this is the right long-term career path

Start Here or Strengthen Your Team. Build Confidence. Grow Your Future.

Enroll in CAAP and take the first step toward a career that matters.
View CAAP Course
Training Activity Professionals for Over 30 Years
Since 1996, Activity Directors Network has helped students begin, grow, and advance through career-focused online training for real senior living environments.
Choose the CAAP course below

Courses

USD 298.00

Certified Activity Assistant Professional (CAAP) Training Course

Course categoryCertified Activity Assistant Professional Training
ACTIVITY DIRECTORS NETWORK | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING SINCE 1996

CAAP™

Certified Activity Assistant Professional
Entry-Level Professional Certification • Online & Self-Paced
9 Learning Modules

Ready to begin a career in activity programming? Learn to support the Activity Director, engage residents with confidence, and contribute to meaningful daily experiences in senior living and long-term care. CAAP is a specialized, entry-level certification offered exclusively through Activity Directors Network. No previous activity programming experience is required.

What You'll Learn

Nine focused modules develop the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to work confidently as an Activity Assistant.

01
Activity Assistant Overview
02
Reading & Responding to Residents
03
Leading Activities with Confidence
04
Creating Meaningful Engagement
05
One-on-One Connection
06
Documentation & Professional Communication
07
Supporting Residents Through Illness & Loss
08
Multi-Departmental Form
09
Medical Terms
Included Learning Resources

Course instructions, syllabus, Click-'N'-Print forms, activity terminology, department resources, and a course forum for questions and discussion.

Course at a Glance
Course Structure
9 Instructional Modules
Learning Format
Online & Self-Paced
Start anytime • 24/7 access
Assessment
10 Test Questions
Required course survey follows
Instructor
Sheryl Bacon, BSc
Certification
CAAP™
Activity Directors Network certification
24/7 Access for 6 Months
Work anytime from anywhere on any device with internet access.
Completing Your CAAP Course
01. Complete Your Test Questions

Complete all 10 test questions and save each answer before moving forward.

02. Submit Your Course Survey

Submit the required course survey after completing your test questions.

03. Receive Your Certificate

Your Certificate of Completion will be available within approximately one hour after all course requirements are successfully completed.

Looking ahead? CAAP provides an entry-level foundation. When you're ready to pursue Activity Director-level training, explore ADN's NAPT100 National Activity Professional Training Course.
Explore NAPT100
Need a W-9 for employer payment? Download ADN W-9